Ramadan

What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast
during daylight hours.
There are several reasons why Ramadan is considered important:
*. The Qur'an was first revealed during this month
*. The gates of Heaven are open
*. The gates of Hell are closed and the devils arechained up in Hell.
The Qur'an revealed
The month of Ramadan inwhich was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for
mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between
right and wrong)
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
The actual night that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
is called Lailat ul Qadr , and to stand in prayer on this one night is
said to bebetter than a thousand months of worship.
Ramadan is often called 'month of the Qur'an' because of this, and
Muslims attempt to recite as much of the Qur'an as they can during the
month. Most mosques willrecite one thirtieth of the Qur'an each night
during the Taraweeh prayers.
No one knows on which particular night the Qur'anwas first revealed,
but it issaid to be one of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
The gates of Heaven are open and the gates of Hell are closed
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that
the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
said:"When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the
gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains."
(Agreed upon)
Muslims believe that their good actions bring a greater reward during
this month than at any other time of year, because this month has been
blessed by Allah.
They also believe that it iseasier to do good in this month because
the devils have been chained in Hell,and so can't tempt believers.
This doesn't mean that Muslims will not behave badly, but that any
evil that they do comes from within themselves, without additional
encouragement from Satan.
Almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan, and some
will try to become better Muslims by praying more or reading the
Qur'an.
Muslims believe that this is one way that the chaining up of the
devils is manifested, since there is no other reason for them to do
so.
Top
Special practices
There are a number of special practices which areonly done during Ramadan.
Fasting the whole month long
Although Muslims fast during other times of the year, Ramadan is the
only time when fasting, or sawm , is obligatory during the entire
month for every able Muslim.
Ramadan is intended to increase self-control in all areas, including
food, sleeping, sex and the use of time.
Taraweeh Prayers
These are long night prayers, which are not obligatory, but highly recommended.
Mosques are filled with worshippers who go to attend these prayers,
which usually last for one and a half to two hours.
These prayers also give Muslims a chance to meet at the mosque every
day, and so they also help to improve relationships in the Muslim
community.
I'tikaf
I'tikaf refers to going into seclusion during the last ten nights of
Ramadan, in order to seek Lailat ul Qadr by praying and reading the
Qur'an. Some people live in the mosqueduring this time for serious
reflection and worship. Others spend a few hours at the mosque or
home.
Top
The date of Ramadan
Find the dates for Ramadan 2012 in the multifaith calendar
Confusion
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and as with all
months in the Islamic calendar, its start is based on the sighting of
the new moon.
There can be confusion and disagreement over the starting date of this
month. Since the month isfull of blessings and marks the beginning of
fasting, or sawm , accuracy is very important.
Since Muslims live all over the world, but Islam started in what is
now known as Saudi Arabia, they may not agree as to which country's
first moon sighting marks the start of the month.
But although Muslims do often start and end Ramadan on slightly
different days, there is little real ill will, and it is forgotten
once the fastingstarts.
Sighting in each country
Some Muslims believe that a new moon sightingfrom their individual
country marks the start ofRamadan.
One argument for accepting this is that Islam is regarded as a way of
life for all people. Choosing a local sighting includes those who do
not have access to technology or fast communication.
It's argued that unity within a known geographic location is more
important than celebrating Ramadan withpeople who live in another
country or continent.
Sighting in Saudi Arabia
Other Muslims believe that the sighting of the new moon from Saudi
Arabia marks the beginning of Ramadan.
They believe this unifies all Muslims, as well as carrying on the
tradition of the Prophet Muhammad.:->

4b] Ramadan 2012, The 24th Day

4b]
For a long time after Hazrat Mahdi (as) begins work after his
appearancein the early Hijri 1400s, only a very few people will know
that he is Hazrat Mahdi (as). Our Prophet (saas) received the
prophethood at the age of 40, but very few people knew that he was a
prophet at that time. The same thing applies to many prophets.
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi also says that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not be
recognized when he first appears. He says that initially even Hazrat
Mahdi (as) himself will be unaware that he is the Mahdi of the End
Times. Inthis passage, he says that only a very few believers of deep
faith can recognize the Prophet Jesus (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the
antichrist, whom he refers to as the personages of the End Times.
However, as we said, this world is the arena of trial. The door is
opened to the reason, but the willis not taken from the hand. SO, WHEN
THOSE INDIVIDUALS, and even the terrible antichrist, APPEAR, MANY
PEOPLE AND EVEN HIMSELF WILL NOT KNOW TO START WITH THAT HE IS THE
ANTICHRIST. THOSE INDIVIDUALS OF THE END OF TIME WILL BE KNOWN THROUGH
THE INSIGHT AND THE LIGHT OF BELIEF. (Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, Words /
Twenty-Fourth Word - Third Branch, p. 355)
The great scholar and mujaddid Sayyid Muhammad ibn Rasul al-Hussein
al-Barzanji of Medina makes the following statement in hisexpanded
work "Al-Isha'at ul Ishraat us Saa'at" (Portents of the Judgment Day),
referring to Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami: "ALL THESE
TRADITIONS ARE TRUE IN TERMS OF THEIR OCCURRENCE AND SOUNDNESS." In
other words, ALL THE DIFFERENTTIMINGS SET OUT IN THE HADITHS ARE TRUE,
AND THESE TIMINGS REFER TO DIFFERENT PERIODS IN THELIFE OF HAZRAT
MAHDI (AS), WHO, BY ALLAH'S LEAVE, WILL HAVE A LONG LIFE, as reported
by the Prophet (saas).
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will possess certain characteristics of earlier
prophets. Among these is his being long-lived, LIKE THE PROPHET ADAM
(AS) AND THE PROPHET NOAH (AS)." (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 51, Ansariyan
Publications, collected by: Muhammad Baqr al-Majlisi, Iran-Qum, 2003,
p. 217)/

4a] Ramadan 2012, The 24th Day

4a]
Among them are some who insult the Prophet, saying he is only an ear
[only a hearer]. Say, "An ear of good for you, believing in Allah and
believing in the believers, and a mercy for those among you who
believe." As for those who insult the Messenger of Allah, theywill
have a painful punishment. (Surat at-Tawba: 61)
Since these people failed to grasp the essence of faith, and were
unable to appreciate the merit of the Prophet (saas), they adopted the
wrong approach with regards to informing him about every matter. The
ignorant are unable to use what they know for beneficial ends, for the
good and security of mankind. The Prophet (saas), however, used all
the information that was brought to him for the peace, security and
healthof Muslims and other groups under his protection, to avoid
possible dangers and to thwart plots against believers. That is why
Allah refers to him as "an ear of good" in one verse. All of the
Prophet (saas)'s words, decisions and measures have led to good and
positive results for believers as well as mankind.
The Claim That Darwin Was A Scientist And Evolution İs A Science
Darwinists maintain that Darwin was a scientist and evolution is a
science.This position has for long been kept on the agenda by
Darwinist circles. Thereis no doubt that the reason for this is that
Darwin was not a scientistand evolution is not a science.
The fraud that Darwin was a scientist:
· Darwin was merely a traveler with an interest in
nature. He was educated at a school run by a clergyman. Apart from
collecting insects he has nothing to do with the science of biology at
all.
· His voyage to the Galapagos Islands was the
result of curiosity and a desire for adventure. As people around him
stated many times in their works, he took an interest in collecting
insects during that voyage, but then threw them away after collecting
them.
· The theory ofevolution emerged in the form of
various confused ideas that Darwin broughttogether and espoused out of
his own depressed and unclear mindset, and with suicidal tendencies,
and an ideology descended from the ancient Sumerians and that drew
strength from the influence of various atheist circles.
· Science was in any case very primitive in
Darwin's day. Darwin knew nothing about the cell and claimed that
transitional forms would be found at a later date. He frequently
expressed his alarm in the face of the complexity in living things.
· For that reason, the claimthat Darwin was a scientist who operated
in the name of science is a grave deception.
The false idea that evolution is a science:
· The theory ofevolution has been constantly
refuted by science for the last 150 years. It represents the diametric
opposite of the facts revealed by science.
· Science has revealed the extraordinary
complexity in the cell and that evolutionists are unable to account
for the formation of even a singleprotein.
· Science has made it possible for more than 300
million fossils tobe unearthed and examined, and has demolished
evolution by showing that not a single one is a transitional form.
· Science has proved that living things never
evolved by showingthat all fossils belong to complete and perfect life
forms.
· Science has totally refuted the idea of chance
by showing the complex systems in living things and the irreducible
complexity within those systems.
· Indeed, if science corroborated Darwinism, Darwinists would have
noneed to behave so aggressively, angrily and deceptively. The sole
reason why Darwinists strive to silence opponents of evolution and act
according to the instructions of the Darwinist dictatorship is that
they have no scientific evidence whatsoever.
· The only reason why Darwinists insist on
portraying evolution as science is that they have discoveredthat they
can only survivethrough trickery, fraud and lies.
· Darwinism is a false and pagan religion that has
deceived people for the last 150 years and should long since have been
consigned to the history books.
· But they are trying to prop it up for
ideological reasons, for the sake of denying the existence of Allah.
The sole reason why it is still in existence and persistently kept on
the agenda is that it is protected in an organized manner by certain
sinisterforces.
Hazrat Mahdi (as) will not be recognized immediately after his
appearance in Hijri 1400. It will take some 40 years for him to be
fully recognized.
For a long time after Hazrat Mahdi (as) begins work after his
appearancein the early Hijri 1400s, only a very few people will know
that he is Hazrat Mahdi (as). Our Prophet (saas) received :->

4] Ramadan 2012, The 24th Day

4]
Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah. If anyone turns away, we
did not send youto them as their keeper. (Surat an-Nisa': 80)
"Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys
Allah, and whoever obeys the ruler I appoint, obeys me, and whoever
disobeyshim, disobeys me." (Sahih Bukhari, Book 9, No: 251)
Rasulullah's (saas) age did not wear him down. He was like a youngster
at theage of 63. That is amazing.He had the face and sweetness of a
child. Someone of 63 should have the features of someone of 63. But
not him. He had no more than 20 white hairs at the age of 63. In
commenting on a verse he said it came from Allah. "I have feared Allah
very much," he says. Despite being the sweetestman in the world, "I
suffered much from him," he says. His skin was like silver. That is an
Arabic term, meaning it was like a child's. And he was immaculate when
he died, insha'Allah. (A9 TV, May 1, 2012)
He Who Obeys The Prophet (saas) Also Obeys Allah
Allah charges everyone with obeying the prophetsHe has sent. These
messengers were blessed men who abided by Allah'scommands,
communicatedHis revelations, represented the human model most pleasing
to Allah by means of their words and actions, in shortby their whole
manner of living. Allah reveals in the Qur'an that those who abide by
His messengers will be saved. For that reason, obedience to the
Prophet (saas) is an obligation of the very greatest importance. Allah
reveals the importance of obedience in the Qur'an:
We sent no messenger except to be obeyed by Allah's permission… (Surat
an-Nisa', 64)
Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be withthose whom Allah has
blessed: the prophets and steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs
and righteous. What excellent company such people are! (Surat
an-Nisa', 69)
In several verses of the Qur'an, Allah states that those who obey His
messengers are in truth obeying Allah. Those who rebel against these
messengers, on the other hand, rebel against Allah.
Those who pledge you their allegiance pledge allegiance to Allah.
Allah's hand is over their hands. He who breaks his pledge only breaks
it against himself. But as for him who fulfils the contract he has
made with Allah, We will pay him an immense reward. (Surat al-Fath,
10)
In the Qur'an, Allah describes the Prophet (saas) as a protector and
guide for the faithful. Muslims, therefore, referred to him in all
matters, and sought his permission and opinion before engaging in
anything. On subjects they were unable to agree upon among themselves,
though even on matters they were able to solve by themselves, or when
they received news concerning the security, health or economy of the
community of the faithful, they immediately took them to the Prophet
(saas)and abided by the sure and trustworthy advice or solution he
recommended.
Each order and rule of the Prophet (saas) is guaranteed by Allah.
Furthermore, the Prophet (saas) was the wisest and cleverest member of
the community of the faithful. Usually, most look to consult the most
intelligent person and the one who best obeys his conscience, that is,
the person they trust the mostin any matter, in order to establish a
decision.
As well as all these characteristics of the Prophet (saas), another
wisdom in all news being gathered together in one person is that this
will provide the best and most intelligent response because all the
aspects of the event will be known by one person. In another verse,
Allah commands thefaithful to make the Prophet (saas) their judge in
any disagreements between them. It is a command from Allah that all
such disagreements should be taken to the Prophet (saas) at once,
andthat is therefore the most fitting course of action in terms of
reason, morality and conscience. It is also most important to obey the
rules set out by the Prophet (saas), with all one's heart and with no
reservations. Even if his decision conflicts with the interests of an
individual, true believers will feel no doubts at all, and will
immediately obey the command of the Prophet (saas). Allah describes
this important aspect of obedience in the Qur'an:
No, by your Lord, they are not believers until they make you their
judge in the disputes that break out between them, and then find no
resistance within themselves to whatyou decide and submit themselves
completely. (Surat an-Nisa', 65)
Some hypocritical people, or people whose faith is weak, have failed
to realize that the decisions of the Prophet (saas) are assured by
Allah and opposed informing him of every situation, thus causing
dissension. Allah describes the condition of such people in the
Qur'an:
Among them are some who insult the Prophet, saying he is only an ear
[only a hearer]. Say, "An ear of good for you, :->